Pollença protects the Formentor coastline with new villas, but maintains the rest of the urban land where construction can continue.
The City Council has already finalized the plan for the iconic peninsula, which will be approved at the end of the month as an amendment to the General Plan.
PollençaThe beachfront of the Formentor peninsula will no longer see any new construction. This is the plan that the Pollença Town Council intends to establish in the document it will present to the full council at the end of January for initial approval of the modification to the urban plan for this emblematic area. This modified General Plan will replace the one in effect since 1990 and will define the future of the peninsula. One of the most significant changes is precisely this: the beachfront will be protected from new villa construction, a decision designed to curb indiscriminate growth, preserve the natural environment, and protect the landscape heritage. This measure comes after the council approved a building moratorium in January of last year, suspending new permits, with the aim of having the necessary time to draft a new regulatory framework suited to the current reality of the area.
Formentor is an area with some urban development pressure, since, according to various sources, several dozen large buildings, particularly spacious villas, could still be constructed. The new plan will limit construction along the coast, while maintaining the bulk of existing urban land "to avoid potential compensation for owners with acquired development rights," confirm municipal sources, who are reluctant to provide further information because the document to be submitted for approval has not yet been finalized. Furthermore, efforts are being made to preserve green spaces and areas without a clear use by making them available to the public, thus preventing new projects that could alter the environment.
Among the most controversial projects in recent times is the hotel Formentor, which still has pending urban planning cases that have resulted in significant fines for completely demolishing the old building without a permit and erecting a new one. Furthermore, the company managing the project, Inmobiliaria Formentor, intended to build luxury villas, taking advantage of the reduced footprint of the plot achieved by demolishing smaller, older structures.
It remains unclear, however, whether Formentor will be able to proceed with the construction of this group of buildings, separate from the main one, which were intended to be a high-end product. The fact is that several projects carried out a few years ago had highlighted the need to review and update the planning regulations to control coastal development and preserve the landscape and biodiversity, given the considerable size and visual impact of the new houses.
Balancing rights and protection
According to experts, the modification of Pollença's General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) seeks to balance maintaining landowners' rights by avoiding compensation payments with the conservation and protection of the natural and scenic heritage. The lands of Costa and Llobera will see partial protection, though this will restrict new construction along the coast, while the interior maintains its urban development potential. The urban planning context of Formentor has been marked by years of debate and controversy. Several unlicensed developments, sanctions against landowners, and controversial projects have highlighted the need for a clear and updated regulatory framework. Last year's moratorium was a first step to curb development pressure and open a period of analysis, proposal gathering, and negotiation with all stakeholders. Meetings with environmental groups, landowners' associations, and political representatives served to establish priorities and reach a consensus on measures that are now included in the new general plan.
The process of preparing the new plan has been intense and participatory, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Urban Planning Department has held several meetings with the governing team, the municipal opposition groups, the Formentor real estate company, the association of owners of plots and villas in Formentor, and also with the GOB (Balearic Ornithological Group), with the aim of "gathering input, reaching a consensus on criteria, and balancing environmental protection with the rights of property owners." According to the mayor, Martí March, the plan focuses on "the comprehensive protection of Formentor, the preservation of the seafront, the creation of new green areas, the provision of services, and the defense of existing public spaces and assets," as he stated in ARA Baleares. March insisted that "now is not the time for more talk, but rather to reach an agreement," he explained. The initial approval of the new plan opens a period for public comment, which may refine or strengthen the key changes, with input from the opposition, residents' associations, and environmental groups. The City Council's ultimate goal is to have a clear, balanced, and protective urban planning framework capable of meeting the municipality's needs without compromising an emblematic area of Mallorca, guaranteeing the preservation of the coastline, sustainability, and respect for natural heritage.
